Tuning lanthanide ion-doped upconversion nanocrystals with different shapes via a one-pot cationic surfactant-assisted hydrothermal strategy

Abstract

Herein we report a novel cationic surfactant-assisted hydrothermal method to synthesize highly dispersed LuF₃ upconversion nanoparticles (80–100 nm) and Na_1.5Y_2.5F₉ flower-like assemblies (450–550 nm). Controlling the initial shape of the building blocks, growth oriented by the cationic surfactant and Ostwald ripening are deemed as the possible formation processes in the hydrothermal system.